Hockey backs Sydney uni college cleanout

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says he's glad "loutish behaviour" at his old Sydney University college is being dealt with.

Five priests on Tuesday night resigned from the council of St John's College, following a request from the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell also condemned reports of "appalling behaviour by students" that have continued at the 150-year-old college, despite an incident in March that resulted in a female student being hospitalised.

On Wednesday, Mr Hockey, a St Johns alumnus, said he was pleased the matter was being addressed.

"I'm glad the matters are being dealt with," he told reporters in Sydney.

"I think for a college that has had a very positive influence on my life and many others, to see it go through this process, to have this sort of behaviour, is extremely disappointing.

"I'm glad that everyone's dealing with it as it should be dealt with."

Mr Hockey admitted there was "loutish behaviour years ago" when he attended the college, but did not say whether he had been subjected to initiation rituals.

"I've been initiated in the school of life," he said.

He would not be drawn on whether the law should be changed to give Sydney University more control over the college.

In an opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald, former college council member Roslyn Arnold said she had resigned "in disgust" from St John's executive earlier this year because she was "ashamed to belong to such a group".

Ms Arnold urged parents "not to send your children to St Johns until we see cultural change at this once great college".

She says she broke the college's code of silence because she was concerned some behaviour by students was criminal.